CHEMISTRY IA- UNIT 1

STANDARDIZATION OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE USING A PRIMARY STANDARD

In order to analyze unknown concentrations, a standard solution is needed to react
with the unknowns. A standard solution is one in which the concentration is known
accurately. Standard solutions may be prepared by weighing or measuring an
accurate amount of substance and dissolving it in a given volume of water.
Standard sodium hydroxide solution cannot be prepared by weighing because the
solid is highly hygroscopic and is not sufficiently pure to be used as a primary
standard. However, a solution of sodium hydroxide of approximate molarity can be
prepared and then standardized by titration with a primary standard of know purity.
In this experiment, potassium hydrogen sulphate is used as the primary standard
and it is titrated with a solution of sodium hydroxide. The potassium hydrogen
sulphate is an acidic standard which is stable, pure and dissolves in water to
produce

+
K ions and

which react

HSO4 ions. The

HSO4 ions contain acidic

+
H ions

OH ions according to the equation below.

SO 4(aq)

OH (aq) H 2 O(l) +

HSO4(aq)
+

Apparatus and Materials

1. solid
potassium
hydrogen
sulphate
2. NaOH of approximately 1M
3. phenolphthalein indicator

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8.

50cm burette
Three 250cm concial flask
25cm measuring cylinder
Weighing tray
Funnel

9. Balance
10.

Procedure

1. Weigh accurately 0.35g of potassium hydrogen sulphate.

2. Place the sample in a 250cm concial flask.
3. Add 25cm of distilled water to the flask and dissolve the potassium hydrogen
sulphate.
4. Fill the burette with sodium hydroxide solution.
5. Add two drops of phenolphthalein indicator to the flask.
6. Titrate the potassium hydrogen sulphate solution in the flask to the end point.
7. Note at the end point, the pink color persists for a while and then the color
fades upon exposure to the air.
8. Repeat procedure as many times necessary to obtain accurate results.

11.
12.
analysis

Data

1. Calculate the number of moles of potassium hydrogen sulphate used in each

titration.
2. Calculate the number of moles of NaOH used in each titration.
3. Find the concentration of NaOH in mol/dm for each titration.
4. Find the average concentration of NaOH in mol/dm.
5. Explain why the pink color of the phenolphthalein at the end point
disappeared after exposure to atmospheric air.
6. Explain why the high molar mass of potassium hydrogen sulphate is
advantageous to it being used as a primary standard.
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